One Last Look At the Old Destroyer Line From Megabass : The 2006 F5-66X Bearing Down

Date:

9/3/07

Tackle type:

Rod

Manufacturer:

Megabass

Reviewer:

Cal

Total Score: 8.75

Introduction: It's been over two years since we started our journey with Megabass. We began our quest with the F7-711X, sampled their fiberglass series with the F4-610GT3, took a look at the exotic Evoluzion rods with the Elseil and DiabloSB, and even fished their heavy duty Orochi lineup. Of course, who could forget the triplet spinning rods. Where does it end? With tweaks and changes to their lineup each year, the answer is certainly no time soon. Yet, with their wide variety of rod offerings, one constant remains: The base Destroyer series is the bread and butter of Megabass's rod lineup. Yet, up until now, even in this baseline series, only a handful of rods resembled each other. Most had a rather unique flare and style to them. Well, the tide is changing
now in 2007 as Megabass revamps the lineup with a new, standardized rear grip design. We take one last look at the old Destroyer line before this change takes place: Presenting the 2006 Megabass F5-66X Bearing Down.

Megabass F5-66X Bearing Down Specifications

Material

Hi10X Graphite

Length

6'-6"

Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base

9"

Line Wt.

10-25lb Test

Lure Wt.

3/8 - 1oz

Pieces

1

Guides

7 Guides + Tip (Fuji Ti framed SiC inserts)

Power Rating

Heavy

Taper

Extra-Fast

Rod Weight

5.2 oz

Manufacturing Country

Japan

MSRP

$370

Impressions: The artistry of the base Destroyer line from Megabass remains a favorite of mine. The particular rod we acquired for review was a 2006 model year Bearing Down. At the time of this writing, reports were that Megabass is renovating the entire Destroyer line for 2007 giving each rod in the lineup, a similar rear grip treatment. Gone will be the individuality of each Destroyer rod, and instead, the base Destroyer series will now have the same, or at least, similar handle assembly bringing Megabass in line with all other rod manufacturers, i.e. offering similarly themed compositions for all rods in the same lineup. Such are the sacrifices to be made when increasing product availability, but regardless of cosmetic treatments, performance from the rods, in general, should remain the same.

Introducing the 2006 Megabass F5-66X Bearing Down

Lab Tests: In a reversal of recent practice where we typically measure new sticks on the RoD WRACK before fishing them, I fished the Bearing Down first and took measurements later. Right out of the package, my impressions of the F5-66X Bearing Down were that it matched up almost identically in feel and application to the BCR803 GLX from G.Loomis. Naturally, when it came time to take our lab measurements, this was the rod I compared it against.

Lab Results for Megabass F5-66X Bearing Down

Model

Avg RoD (2-16 oz)

Rated Action

Spine

Measured Weight

Balance Point

F5-66X Bearing Down

1.35

Heavy

Top

5.2 oz

7.25

BCR803 GLX

1.61

Medium Heavy

Bottom

4.3 oz

7"

MBR844C GLX

1.47

Heavy

Bottom

4.7 oz

7.5"

Rate of Deflection (RoD):What I discovered was that while the Bearing Down's deflection curve matches that of the BCR803 GLX almost identically in pitch, it is actually a step heavier in overall power, than the BCR803 GLX. For an added comparison, I also charted the F5-66X against a G.Loomis MBR844C GLX and discovered, with load ranges from about two ounces up to twelve, that it shared some similarities with that rod as well. Above that load range, thanks to the its extra fast taper, the Bearing Down is actually quite a bit more powerful than the MBR844C GLX.

Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of the Bearing Down

Spine, Weight, and Balance Point:Naturally, as with most of our Megabass rods, the Bearing Down came in weighing more than either our MBR844C GLX or BCR803 GLX. Surprisingly, its balancing point was right in between these two sticks, and with a difference of about a quarter to half an inch between all three rods, realistically, they all felt pretty similar in hand. Lastly, we found the spine of the Bearing Down to be on top of the rod.

The Bearing Down features 7 titanium framed SiC guides plus a tip top wrapped in conventional fashion

Though hard to see in this picture, the Bearing Down has a true, extra-fast taper

Real World Test:One of the reasons I went ahead and fished the Bearing Down even before measuring it up on our RoD WRACK was simply because I could not wait to fish this stick. It felt so solid and balanced out of the tube, I just had to head out on the water with it to see what it had. The very first reel to have the honors with this stick? A Daiwa Alphas 103L spooled with 12lb Sugoi FC. I also fished this rod with a Conquest 51 spooled with 12lb Sunline Machine Gun Cast and a Shimano Antares AR spooled with 12lb Yozuri Hybrid, but the Alphas is, by far, my favorite reel for this rod.

Our F5-66X and Conquest 51 combo

Complete Field Test Set-Up for Megabass F5-66X Bearing Down

Reel(s)

Alphas 103L

Conquest 51

Antares AR

Line

12lb Sugoi FC

12lb MachineGun Cast

12lb Yozuri Hybrid

Pitching and Casting: Similar to the BCR803 GLX and other rods that share the same taper and power rating, the Bearing Down is not a great rod when it comes to overhead or sidearm casts. It performs acceptably, but takes some adjustment because it simply does not load very well on these presentations. On the other hand, given it's shorter length at six feet, six inches, it is an incredibly easy rod with which to pitch. In fact, if you're experienced at pitching, you can turn your presentations into a true underhanded cast with this rod thanks to its shorter length. At this presentation technique, the rod excels.

The handsome reel seat and foregrip assembly of the F5-66X

Each Destroyer series Megabass rod comes with a little reel seat accessory called the "Level Spacer" that the owner can attach to take up the gap of the exposed reel seat without losing sensitivity

I fished two different types of baits with this rod, the 3/8 ounce Megabass X-80 Trick Darter, and a couple of 1/4 ounce and 3/8 ounce jigs from TnT Baits and Bass Stalker. Most were at the lower range of the rod's rating, and, as mentioned above, after some initial adjustments on overhead and
sidearm casts, I was able to present the X-80 Trick Darter with reasonable distance and accuracy. For better performance, I'd suggest stepping up in weight. On the other hand, pitching my jig and trailer combinations was so fun with this stick, I found it hard to use for much else. This really is, what I feel, this rod's primary purpose - it's a fantastic jig stick.

A smooth transition from the rear grip to the custom painted reelseat

A closeup of the Bearing Down's Ito Head Locking System featuring an aggressively styled winding check